November 4th Special Election: Key Dates & Resources
A special statewide election will be held on Tuesday, November 4th to give California voters the opportunity to decide whether to adopt new Congressional maps. Ballots have already started to hit the mailboxes of California voters with an active voter registration status. Voters throughout the state will have the option of mailing in their ballot or casting their vote in person at designated vote locations.
What’s on the ballot and what’s at stake?
Proposition 50 will be the only statewide measure on most November ballots; however, some cities or counties may also have local measures on the November ballot as well. Prop 50, the “Election Rigging Response Act”, asks voters to approve new Congressional districts drawn by the California Legislature for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. The California Legislature drew the new maps in response to the Texas State Legislature’s move to redistrict mid-cycle for partisan advantage. Historically, each state produces new Congressional maps which reflect population changes after the Census is conducted every ten years. If approved, Prop 50 would temporarily suspend the work of the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission, which has overseen redistricting since it was established in 2008. The independent commission would resume its work redrawing district lines following the 2030 Census.
A “yes” vote would approve the new Congressional district maps drawn by the State Legislature.
A “no” vote would reject the new Congressional district maps drawn by the State Legislature and keep in place the existing districts until after the 2030 Census.
You can find more information about Prop 50 on the California Secretary of State’s website, where you can read the official voter information guide and track the status of your ballot.
If you are currently not registered to vote and miss the October 20th voter registration deadline, you still can vote! You will just need to visit your county elections office, a vote center or polling station on or before Election Day to participate in same day voter registration, which will allow you to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot still counts – it just means that an official has to verify that you are eligible to vote and your registration was successful before the ballot is counted.
**Click here to find out if you live in a VCA county.
Voting Options
- Mail-in ballots: Every registered voter will be sent a ballot in the mail by October 6th (however it may take a few days to arrive). You may return your voted ballot by:
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- Mailing it to your county elections office, postmarked on or before Election Day, November 4th
- Dropping it off at a polling place, your county elections office or an official drop box no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Authorizing someone to return the ballot on your behalf via one of the above methods. Anyone you trust may return your ballot for you. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope.
- In person: In-person voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance to those who need it.
- Early voting: Cast your ballot at vote center locations starting October 25th
- Election Day: Vote on November 4th
Helpful Resources
Registration
Ballot Tracking
Where to Vote
Voter Rights
Poll worker Information
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